Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places List 2025
Each May — National Historic Preservation Month — we release a list of historic places across the Commonwealth facing imminent or sustained threats. The list, which has brought attention to 200 sites in Virginia, encourages individuals, organizations and local governments to advocate for their preservation and find solutions that will save these unique locations for future generations. The program has a track record of success. Only 10% of the sites listed so far were lost to demolition or neglect.
This year’s program includes unique sites throughout the Commonwealth, with threats ranging from data center construction to neglect. Partnerships are needed on local, state and federal levels to find adaptive, collaborative solutions for the benefit of local communities.
In no particular order, Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places for 2025 are:
Granite Schoolhouse – Richmond
Granite is an active community that descended from enslaved and emancipated granite miners responsible for the early granite infrastructure and streetscapes built in Richmond, Washington D.C. and New York City. Granite’s original boundaries span from near Willow Oaks Country Club all the way to Bon Air along Forest Hill Avenue. This original schoolhouse annex is their last remaining historical building and it was used for weddings, dances, and community gatherings. The Granite CommUNITY Foundation is committed to acquiring the structure from the City and repurposing it for community events and programming supporting the changing needs of the surrounding descendant neighborhoods. The nonprofit continues to raise funds towards this end and needs additional support.
For more information: Granite CommUNITY Foundation, granitecommunityfoundation@gmail.com, (804) 584- 0947
Kingsmill Archaeological Site – James City County
Kingsmill Plantation, located just down river from Jamestown, is a gateway to life in early Colonial America. Built by British Colonel Lewis Burwell III in the 1730s, a fire in the mid- 1800s took the main plantation house down to its foundation, while its two flanking dependencies–the original kitchen and original office–have stood the test of time. This area of Kingsmill, coupled with the adjoining recreation and green spaces, are at risk of being lost to development with the construction of 28 new homes. These areas are the heart of the community, and vital to this place are not only preserving and restoring the original outbuildings, but performing additional archaeological surveys to learn more about early America.
For more information: Gabriela Fellows, ggfellows@aol.com.
Ascension Church – Mecklenburg County
This 1879 church was the first major contribution of James Solomon Russell–who would go on to form the Saint Paul Normal and Industrial School (Saint Paul College) and become a Saint of the Episcopal Church. Defining his early legacy and serving as the backbone for a local descendant African-American community, this building is in need of serious renovations to continue its story. Local historical societies and residents need to raise funds to stabilize the foundation, repair the collapsed roof, and redirect floodwaters. Installing new interpretive signage would also help honor the legacy of this church and the local community.
For more information: Bobby Conner, g110va@yahoo.com, (434) 917-0159
Century Cotton Mill Tower – South Boston
South Boston’s Century Cotton Mill opened in 1897 and went on to become one of the leading employers in Halifax County for the next century. Overcome by the changing global business environment, the mill closed in 2002 and the major portion of the factory was demolished later that decade. Only the iconic tower entrance remains. Now the landmark’s current condition must be evaluated, stabilized and improved with proper signage added so that visitors know the importance of what remains.
For more information: Ralph Alderson, ralph@jeremycreekfarm.com, (434) 770-4333
Indian Knob School – Patrick County
This early African American schoolhouse in Patrick County is nestled in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Over the years, it was repurposed by descendants and neighbors as a community meeting and celebration space. Local blues and gospel musicians played here at events. New ownership has launched a preservation effort which involves The Patrick County Historical Society and others in the community. Being one of the last of its kind in this part of Virginia, organizers will raise funds to stabilize the foundation and then move on to completely restore the building for community use once more.
For more information: Patrick County Historical Society, johnreynolds50@usa.net, (276) 229-2084
Westham Train Station – Richmond
This former C&O Railway station was originally built in 1911 on a site in Henrico County and served the western part of Richmond and the University of Richmond, handling both freight and passengers for decades. After passenger service was discontinued, the building was moved to its present site in 1963, where it served as the Richmond Visitor’s Center and centerpiece of a transportation-themed park. The station fell out of use in 2002, and deterioration of the roof and impending redevelopment of the area threaten the future of the station. Many similar structures of railway history are vanishing from the American landscape, and this example needs to be stabilized, moved, renovated and given a new life celebrating its unique contribution to Virginia history.
For more information: Selden Richardson, claymont@mac.com, (804) 683-9651
Davis Tobacco Warehouse – Danville
Built in 1886, this locally designed building has a distinctive roofline that frames the skyline of the National Historic Tobacco Warehouse District. It is situated in the core of 19th-century Danville. In 1858, Thomas D. Neal inaugurated the “Danville System” of open warehouse tobacco auctions, which allowed buyers to inspect and bid on each pile of tobacco. This new system helped make Danville a major tobacco marketing center, with warehouses such as this clustered around the river. In May 2024, the Danville City Council voted to reverse the River District Design Commission denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the warehouse for the sale of its materials and new construction on the site. However the future of the building remains uncertain.
For more information: Leslie Frost, frostleslie1@gmail.com, (919) 886-9581
Hidden Vale House – Madison County
This building is known locally in Madison county as “Hidden Vale” is a large, over 200-year-old log cabin. At one point it was owned by former Governor James Gilmore’s family in the mid-1800’s. This architectural gem is standing strong and is still water-tight, but is getting weak due to severe repairs needed. The current owner has restored a smaller cabin on the property but preserving the large home is beyond his financial and physical means.
For more information: Jeffrey Green, jeffreyhgreen@gmail.com, (540) 718-6764
Goochland Recreational Center – Goochland
The Goochland Recreational Center, established in 1961, was founded by African American community members seeking a safe, welcoming space for fellowship and recreation during a time of segregation. For decades, it served as a hub for unity, culture and community progress. In recent years, the historic center has faced the threat of deterioration due to aging infrastructure and lack of consistent funding. Today, community leaders are working together to restore and revitalize the center so it can continue serving future generations with pride and purpose.
For more information: Ryan Leabough, rleabough4@gmail.com, 804-349-5992
Historic Sites Threatened by Data Centers – Statewide
Virginia’s Data Center boom continues to encroach upon historic landscapes, particularly in Northern and Central Virginia. It is common for these efforts to bypass even federal preservation protections to construct transmission lines or facilities. Statewide, the proliferation of Data Centers is notable, with over 500 facilities in Virginia, including 53 in the Richmond area alone. This growth has led to increased energy demands, prompting major concerns for untouched rural regions of the state. Specifically, battlefield sites such as Wilderness Battlefield and Manassas National Battlefield Park, (which includes the Brawner Farm shown here) are under sustained pressure from data center development proposals.
For more information: Will Glasco, wglasco@gmail.com, 804-338-1357
